North West growth and regeneration Group, Torus, is delighted to unveil another major development in Cheshire West, The Coppice at Rossbank, which will deliver 130 affordable family homes for Ellesmere Port. A mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes and 2-bedroom apartments, built as part of a larger 260-unit development,
New St Helens development from North West housing group, Torus, is using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to efficiently deliver much needed homes to the area, whilst also providing work experience, training opportunities and rehabilitation for first time offenders. Penine Close continues Torus’ exploration into MMC and more innovative methods
Torus is celebrating a double shortlisting at the TPAS Awards this year. The awards celebrate the tireless passion, commitment and impact the work of tenants and housing providers undertake day in, day out to drive lasting change for individuals and communities alike. Torus Tenant Board member and Landlord Operations Committee
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
North West growth and regeneration Group, Torus, is delighted to unveil another major development in Cheshire West, The Coppice at Rossbank, which will deliver 130 affordable family homes for Ellesmere Port. A mix of 2, 3 and 4-bedroom homes and 2-bedroom apartments, built as part of a larger 260-unit development, all homes at The Coppice at Rossbank will be available via Shared Ownership, Rent to Buy and Affordable Rent. The development builds on Torus’ expanding portfolio in Cheshire West, with schemes currently in development in Lostock Gralam and Kingsley. Combined, these developments represent a £9.2 million investment to date, with over 70 mixed-tenure properties created to meet the region’s shortage of affordable housing. This expansion showcases the Group’s ongoing commitment to Cheshire West and to building the homes people want and need, exactly where they need them – supporting the development of sustainable, thriving, multi-generational communities. By building a mix of homes, all of a mixed size and tenure, The Coppice at Rossbank is suitable for future homeowners, at any stage of life, and will see first time buyers, families and downsizers alike given the option of owning the homes they truly want. Working to create homes and communities, The Coppice at Rossbank will grow and evolve with the people who call the development home and become a place people live for many years. Discussing the scheme, Group Head of Sales, Jeanette Grady, said; “We are proud to be building more homes in Cheshire West and increasing access to truly affordable housing solutions and this ambitious project will see high-quality homes built exactly where they’re needed. “This development is an important one for the area and will see the brownfield site regenerated to accommodate affordable homes suitable for first time buyers, young professionals, families and downsizers alike. “With demand for affordable housing now at an all-time high following the national economic downturn caused by COVID-19, it is vital that we continue bolstering access to options such as these so communities across Cheshire West are able to thrive now and in the future.”
New St Helens development from North West housing group, Torus, is using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to efficiently deliver much needed homes to the area, whilst also providing work experience, training opportunities and rehabilitation for first time offenders. Penine Close continues Torus’ exploration into MMC and more innovative methods of construction, with homes being assembled off-site by first time offenders from HMP Hindley. The houses are being built by the developer, OSCO Homes, who have a factory based at Hindley and have now also opened a factory in Runcorn where offenders can go on to work upon their release. OSCO provide prisoners an opportunity to gain a skill that significantly increases their employability and they have found that the number of their employees who go on to re-offend is considerably lower compared to national averages. The development at Penine Close is well underway. It consists of 10 houses built for Affordable Rent and is part of a significant investment in the area as the housing association looks to build 5,300 houses in its heartlands by 2024. Chris Bowen, Managing Director of Torus Developments, said: “The project highlights how Torus are embracing innovative ways to not only provide high quality housing, but to also shape the communities we operate in. “It is not just about simply building as many homes as possible, it is also about the wider influence we have; and providing opportunities to the people who make up our communities is a big part of that. “This project is very rewarding in that people who perhaps may have previously been left behind by the system are given a second opportunity, they learn a trade and significantly increase their prospects when they are released.”
Torus is celebrating a double shortlisting at the TPAS Awards this year. The awards celebrate the tireless passion, commitment and impact the work of tenants and housing providers undertake day in, day out to drive lasting change for individuals and communities alike. Torus Tenant Board member and Landlord Operations Committee member, Ray Jones was nominated by the Group for the Lifetime Achievement Award. Ray has been an active tenant since 2008 first with Liverpool Mutual Homes and latterly with Torus. Over the past 11 years, Ray has been a passionate advocate of tenant representation and decision-making. His sphere of influence has been far-reaching and embraces committees for assets, audit and risk, remuneration and financing. With a focus on the provision of high-quality, mixed tenure homes and investment in existing homes, Ray’s input has helped shape the delivery of Liverpool’s Marwood Towers and Torus’ award-winning development, Ogden’s Place, in Everton. For the past year, as a member of Torus Landlord Operations Committee, Ray has been the voice for nearly 40,000 tenants. However, Ray took his voice and those of all tenants to a national stage when he was successfully appointed to the National Housing Federation’s ‘Tenant Advisory Panel’. This critical role sees him helping to develop the design and policy for social housing associations and boards nationwide. Commenting on his nomination, Ray said: “I’m honoured and privileged to have been nominated; I enjoy excellent social housing accommodation and facilities. “I have become passionate in trying to make sure all social housing tenants of whatever age, can also enjoy clean, safe, affordable housing, which in turn, helps maintain health and wellbeing. Building up a transparent relationship between tenant and provider is the key to a successful partnership, both parties benefit accordingly.” Torus’ second nomination, Torus Talk, an innovative online tenant engagement and consultation platform has also been shortlisted for the Excellence in Tenant Communication Award. Designed and developed in consultation with tenants, the Customer Involvement Team and the Communications Team, Torus Talk harnesses the power of Facebook to give 38,695 tenants the opportunity to have their say without physically having to attend consultation sessions. By removing barriers to participation, Torus Talk has enhanced tenant involvement, scrutiny and empowerment. Torus Regional director, Jan Calland, said: “Torus celebrated its one-year anniversary in January and we worked hard to embed tenant involvement from the outset. Much of this is thanks to the combined vision of our board, leadership team and Landlord Operations Committee. “However, teams across the business and tenants alike have embraced tenant participation as a way to work together, make positive changes and keep improving. The fact that we’ve been shortlisted really recognises the value of the work that’s been done.” The TPAS Awards take place on March 27th in Manchester.
